It’s no secret the 2023 BMW M2 is just around the corner now – with the company this week confirming it will use the new M3 and M4’s engine, have manual and automatic transmissions, and remain rear-wheel drive.
We’ve already seen countless spied camouflaged prototypes and a leaked image of the rear, but now BMW has confirmed the new M2 will be revealed in October 2022 ahead of an April 2023 market launch.
It’s expected the new M2 will be coming to Australia given almost every BMW M model is offered here.
BMW has confirmed the upcoming M2 “boasts a similar performance level to the BMW M2 CS“, and has the same 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine.
The Bavarian automaker glazed over the specifics but it’s reported the standard M2 will have more power than the outgoing M2 Competition, which produces 302kW of power and 550Nm of torque.
The regular M2, last seen here in 2018, put out 272kW and 465Nm.
The new M2 Competition is rumoured to see its outputs increased to 335kW or even 365kW, with a six-speed manual also expected to continue.
This level of power in the new Competition puts the larger M3 and M4 in the M2’s crosshairs. They both put out 353kW and 550Nm in base, manual guise, with Competition models pumping out 375kW.
As previously reported, the upcoming BMW M2 will be the final non-electrified M model from the Bavarian automaker.
BMW has confirmed the new M2 will be available with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed M Steptronic torque-converter automatic transmission. Drive will also be sent to the rear wheels only, naturally.
The BMW M2 will also have an adaptive M chassis and a “powerful brake system” taken from the M3 and M4.
Optional equipment confirmed by BMW includes a carbon roof and M carbon bucket seats.
Just a few months before its reveal, the Bavarian automaker has given us a glimpse at its driving dynamic and chassis testing at the Salzburgring in Austria.
The pre-production model is covered in a BMW M-style camouflage with blue, red, black and white elements. There’s also another prototype model with typical black-and-white camouflage.
Even with the all camouflage it still shows off its almost muscle car-esque silhouette and sporty front and rear bumpers.
We’ve previously seen a camouflaged prototype as well with what’s believed to be M Performance parts including a prominent rear wing, angled exhaust pipes, and more prominent aerodynamic slashes throughout.
Thanks to previous spy photos and images of this pre-production M2, we already know the two-door coupe will come with the BMW Curved Display.
The screen set-up appeared to be similar to the one in the i4 and iX, which uses a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch central touchscreen in the same housing.
The twin screens in these models run the latest BMW iDrive OS 8.0 infotainment software, with satellite navigation as standard.
In contrast, the regular 2 Series currently features a separated 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen running OS 7.0 locally, though BMW has confirmed it’ll adopt the Curved Display in Europe from July.
BMW is currently commemorating 50 years of its M division with a swarm of new high-performance models, including the new M2.
So far it has revealed the lightweight and more powerful BMW M4 CSL, M3 and M4 50 Jahre special editions, and the all-electric iX M60.
M3 Jahre 
M4 CSL 
iX M60
BMW has already confirmed it plans to reveal the M3 Touring at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed in June, and has plans to reveal a production version of the Concept XM plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV at the end of 2022.
Other new BMW M vehicles expected to be revealed this year include the M3 CS sedan, and a manual-equipped M4 GT/H.
BMW Blog also reports the division is working on an ultra-exclusive M4 inspired by the 2015 CSL Hommage concept.
MORE: Everything BMW M2
